Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Had this in a restaurant! Founded in 1902 with a vineyard farmed by Giacomo's grandfather, located in Pedemonte village in NW part of Verona, now run by 4th generation of Tommasi family. A blend of 50% Corvina Veronese, 15% Corvinone, 30% Rondinella & 5% Oseleta. Aromas of dried fruits with savory spice notes. On the palate sweet plum and sweet cherry flavors with pepper & cacao. Soft tannins, chewy on lingering finish ending with an oak character. Nice! — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Began 1916, when Juan Gil Giménez, great-grandfather of the present generation, built a winery in heart of Jumilla. Blue label spent 18 months in new oak barrels (wine formally known as 18 mos representing time in bottle, now “Blue Label.” Monastrell, Cab Sauv & Syrah blend (60/30/10), low yield, aromas of red berry and toasty oak. Palate shows flavors of dark berry fruits, espresso, cacao and hints of sweet spice. Big dusty tannins, well integrated with oak, lingering, ending with balanced oaky character. — 7 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.6

For as much ritz and glamour that is typically associated with Napa Valley, this week highlighted who the real rock stars are in their community... the farmers and firefighters. Haley Wight is the sixth generation to farm her family’s estate, the historic Lewelling Ranch in St. Helena, originally established by her great-great-great grandfather John Lewelling in 1864. She also happens to make extraordinary Cabernet Sauvignon. So extraordinary, that I’m going to skip writing a note and just tell you that Robert Parker hits the nail on the head... “The wine displays gorgeous licorice, lead pencil shavings, black currants, loamy soil undertones and a touch of barrique. Dense purple, it has a full-bodied, multi-layered mouthfeel and a stunning finish with good acidity and velvety, well-integrated tannin, alcohol and wood. This is a scrumptious, full-throttle Cabernet Sauvignon to drink over the next 15 or so years. 96 points.” — 8 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.5

With all due respect to Joseph Gordon-Levitt, this is the original Donjon. Claire Fabre represents the third generation in charge at Le Vieux Donjon. Founded in 1966 by her grandfather Marcel Michel, and run by her parents Lucien and Marie José Michel from 1979 to 2008. Prior to taking the reins, Claire interned with Harlan Estate in Napa. Consulting oenologist Philippe Cambie also lends his services. Despite the Harlan/Cambie associations, Le Vieux Donjon is old school, through and through, and ascribes to the traditionalist principle of "one estate, one wine." The 2010 does not disappoint. While there's clearly a smoked mesquite overtone that permeates throughout and continuously, the plum, black cherry, kirsch, black olive, lavender, dried Provençal herbs, tar, and cured meat entangle thoroughly. The result is an incense that doesn't quit. — 8 years ago

Lyle Coffield

Sommelier Kokkari, Evvia Estatorios

9.1

Out of the bottle into the glass. A suspiciously translucent and raisiny brown. This wine suffers from progeria... not a bad thing if your a 2011 Barolo sitting open on my counter but extremely unfortunate if your lying around in some cellar doing nothing. The clock is ticking on this one. A quick swirl and a whiff meh... Smells like Nebbiolo. Cheap Nebbiolo. First taste mere seconds in the glass.... Flat and watery... Watery, the key sign of an oxygen starved bottle... Some wines need to breathe... Some don't. This one does. Just a little... A baby's breath... Well actually, I dipped an aero latte in it and gave it a whirl until it developed a rich creamy head and Wow! This little wrinkly, raisinated tot matured into Barolo! With roses and tar and terra cotta earthiness and a palate to match. What a surprise! — 10 years ago

Deborah Heath

9.0

Old World Winery #abouriou Reserve + Boxing Day #cassoulet. 4th generation California vintner Darek Trowbridge nurtures this wonderful grape from SW France in the Russian River Valley, first planted by his great grandfather Martinelli. — 10 years ago

Yoon Ha

Master Sommelier/Wine Director Benu

9.5

Like a grandfather - round, inviting, approachable with stories to spare. — 10 years ago

Kayla Prestwood

9.5

Best Pinot noir — 11 years ago

Brian Tuite

9.8

It's 5 o-clock somewhere! — 12 years ago

Lydia Voorhees

9.7

Not a G taste but fantastic, melon, tropical fruit, slight mineral, bright smooth!!! — 13 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Vincent Girardin continues the winemaking tradition of his father and grandfather before him. Aromas of crisp stone fruits with citrus notes, complex. On the palate apple and citrus flavors, lively with honey and spice. Well balanced, lingering finish ending with mineral tones. Nice! Put this in the cellar for a few years. — 7 years ago

Sarah Rudolph

8.9

Savory, rich, and familiar. The wood-panneled restaurant where you’d sit at the counter and order club sandwiches with your grandfather.
Opening a desk drawer to find an old note from an even older friend. — 7 years ago

Daniel M

8.9

Much too young but ... when paired with red meat it unveils its potential : superb nose of sour cherry, blood, a bit of térébenthine too. Some spices. A profound, intense nose that makes us think and reflect on the wine. The palate is much too young but the sour cherry little song plays again among subtle tannins and along a long acid backbone that wants to go the extra mile. Red berries play a little part in this piece and raspberry comes at last. Very nice work. Would love to come to it again in 5-7 years. Fun fact : we are currently spending Christmas time with the in laws in Warsaw, Poland. This winemaker is of polish descent. His great grandfather came to France in the early years of the 20th century to make wine in burgundy. It's quite consistent with our life story that we open this wine during our Christmas diner! — 8 years ago

Dee Raffaeli

9.2

I thoroughly enjoyed this very smooth, but bold wine. I love that it's from Sicily, which was home to my Grandfather Raffaeli. — 8 years ago

Dock Hooks

8.9

Kicking back letting the local tunes adjust my attitude with wine:30 showing on the clock she strolls in my direction digging the slow roll Hendrix spinning left then twisting right dressed in deep purple clinging and flowing interestingly crimson along her rim and edges back to casually claret whispering that she's from a small chateau hanging on the right bank of the Gironde near Arveyres. Offering her hand, I accept pulling her in close then a slow spin and a slower twirl she comes close bathed in the essence of blackberry and spice, young but ripe, wet earthy slowly working her way to a first kiss dripping then gripping, pulling tightly then going soft and silky still clinging while working her way deeper. I close my eyes, Hendrix stops and she's gone. A distant guitar string bends an unknown player. I spot her by the bar, her colors waving in the breeze of a lazy fan I reach out take her firmly by the neck, then lower bending her gently back then spinning her my way, she again engages, her essence lingering in my memory, we dance on as the tunes continue their spin. Later, when we are both done I figure she's likely a fine Merlot brightened by Cab Franc having found her way through new French oak nestled by the river, intelligently nuanced well worth the dance and cost is not an issue...

Hanging at Promise' Land Market where the tunes are always righteous, the people are cool, the conversation is groovy and wines dance from the walls... — 9 years ago

Andrés Solís Lira

9.0

Only after googling this wine I -oddly- came to know that terroir authority, saxophone player and owner Pedro Parra got inspiration from jazz record label Blue Note for this eye-catching wine label. But that's only the tip of the iceberg! A juicy, extremely refreshing, light-bodied red from Carignan and Malbec a.o, a multi blend that is different every year. My grandfather, a renowned local-drunk traveled every season to Cauquenes (a coastal, dry-farmed spot south of Santiago) to buy a number of demijohns for his own consumption, and I suspect that that wine tasted more or less like this. It's funny how young and iconoclasts winemakers are bringing Chile back to its roots by looking at the future. If you ever come across this wine don't think twice and buy a good number in the spirit of savvy drinkers like my grandad. @WineTraining @Dusan Bradanovich — 10 years ago

BurgundyFan

9.5

Leclapart L'Apôtre is amazing...15000 bts only, its clear, fresh, mineral, with multi layers of flavors and with an acidity to join any aperitiv or any kind of food. Produced from vines planted in 1946 by David's grandfather, its really something these bubbles. — 10 years ago

Charlie Abbott

Sommelier Casa Mono

9.2

Almost like unfortified Madeira. Can't believe it's lasted this long. "Grandfather" not at his best moment but still show some respect ;-) — 11 years ago

Eoghan Igoe

9.5

Really great with pizza! Fruity, not too much wood and good mouth feel. — 12 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

History of Chapoutier family dates back to early 19th century when current owner Michel Chapoutier’s great-, great-, great-grandfather Marius purchased estate & famous l’Hermitage vineyards. Deep Purple (with a little smoke on the water), 100% Grenache with aromas of dark fruit and complex exotic spice. Plum, berry & current flavors with nutty tobacco develops into sweet licorice. Tannins a bit grippy but will soften, lingering, balance ending with fruit and spice. Nice!
— 7 years ago

Jody Scharf

9.2

Beautiful. Soft oak, pears, nectarines, peaches. Thanksgiving too fast. Someone please slow the clock. Thank you — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Named after the winery owners’ grandfather, Scott produces wines from Dijon Clones grown on the estate in the Arroyo Seco appellation of Monterey, CA. Ruby with red berry fruit aromas and subtlr spice. On the palate cherry, cranberry and strawberry flavors come through with earthy herb spice, some vanilla notes. Lively acidity and smooth tannins, good balance. Medium+ finish, soft oak, rich texture, Very Nice. — 8 years ago

Commissioner

10

Happy 16th Wedding Anniversary to Stephen &Sherry — 8 years ago

Nolan Dwyer

8.9

Noise of strawberries and cream but a dry mouthfeel and bright finish. A great summer wine — 8 years ago

Felix Pütsch

9.0

Round and smooth. — 9 years ago

Drew Summers

Sales Northampton Wines

9.0

"We make wine as my Grandfather did...only with better machines."
- Erich Sattler (4th Generation) — 10 years ago

DLynn

Penfolds Ambassador

10

Tasted twice. A bit of history — 10 years ago

Avey Watts

10

I am the sort of wine snob that will prefer my family's livelihood over all others. This was the last year my grandfather saw his vines, but didn't see the harvest. — 10 years ago

with Danno

Patrick John Whipple

10

Wonderful dessert wine! Very complex! — 11 years ago

Shannon W

10

From FATS. Our regular. — 12 years ago